October Rhythms of Magic: Ceres
Ceres was a
Roman Goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly aspects.
Credit is given to Ceres for the discovery of 'spelt' being wheat, the yoking
of Oxen which means the beam of wood that is in front of the animals and in
between them so two can work together whilst ploughing. The sowing, nurturing
and care of the seeds to fruition as well as the amazing gift of 'agriculture'
to the world where before it was thought that humankind lived only on acorns
with no set up laws to govern them.
Ceres was
the protector of all of agriculture from sowing the first seeds to harvesting
the crops in the fall. Every January, Ceres was gifted with spelt wheat as well
as a pregnant sow. There was a sacrifice of the sow and what was deemed
important were the entrails that were placed in an earthenware pot. Ceres needs
were simple and she was content with little of her own, as long as everything
offered to her was “pure”.
There was a
festival held for Ceres called Cerealia that was always held from mid to late April
that included all kinds of circus games. Festivities began with a horse race,
and following that foxes were let loose unfortunately with their tails set with
lighted torches to ward off pests and add warmth to the fields growth. No, I do
not like that part at all, or live sacrifices...just sayin...
Ceres being
a Goddess of fertility as well, also managed the changes in the females from
childhood into womanhood, single to married and on into motherhood. She was
also guardian to those having died, she would assist them into the afterlife
hoping to keep them from haunting from being unable to pass.
Take some time and research this lovely goddess Ceres.
Written by Stormloverwolf ♥
Sources: The
White Goddess
Crystal
Vaults
Wikipedia
No comments:
Post a Comment